Hyundai marks a milestone with its first delivery of a Kona Electricto Donald Small, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric oncologist and director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Division of Pediatric Oncology. An early adopter of electric vehicles, and instrumental in the installation of the plug-in station infrastructure at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Donald Small is an advocate and leader in environmentally-friendly living practices including the use of zero-emission vehicles for better air quality to reduce health problems and symptoms related to air pollution.
Antwerpen Hyundai Columbia of Baltimore delivered the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric to Dr. Donald Small at his place of work at The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and handed the keys to the first Kona Electric sold in the U.S. Named the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year—together with the Hyundai Kona—the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric rides on an all-new CUV platform and is Hyundai’s first compact electric crossover for the U.S. market. Kona Electric can travel up to 258 miles on a single charge.
“As a strong advocate for eco-friendly living—which includes doing my part to reduce carbon emissions from the energy we consume—I’ve equipped my home with 64 solar panels connected to the utility power grid, and the surplus renewable energy we produce is fed onto the grid. By implementing renewable energy generation with net-metering, we rely less on the grid and produce more than 90% of our energy use,” said Dr. Donald Small. “I’ve also been driving an electric vehicle for more than seven years, and today, I finally have the opportunity to upgrade my EV and support a quality brand that has committed over 15 years in funding pediatric cancer research.”
“Nothing makes me prouder than to hand the keys to the very first 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric sold in the U.S. to Dr. Donald Small,” said John Szymanski, General Manager, Mid-Atlantic Region, Hyundai Motor America.” We share many common values including our commitment to supporting and funding pediatric cancer research through Hyundai’s Hope On Wheels program and our joint commitment to a clean environment.”
Over the last 15 years, the Hyundai Hope On Wheels program, which funds pediatric cancer research, has provided more than $2 million in grants to The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Division of Pediatric Oncology.
POWERFUL ELECTRIC PROPULSION WITH 258-MILE RANGE
The Kona Electric powertrain employs a high-efficiency 150 kW (201 horsepower) permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor supplied by a high-voltage 64 kWh lithium-ion battery. The motor develops 291 lb.-ft. of torque distributed to the front wheels. The powertrain inverter has a power density of 25.4 kVA per liter. The battery system is liquid-cooled and operates at 356 volts. Battery pack energy density is 141.3 Wh/kg (greater than Chevy Bolt), with a total battery system weight under 1,000 lbs. In addition, Kona Electric EPA-estimated MPGe is 132 city, 108 highway, and 120 combined.
The Kona Electric utilizes a standard Level-II on-board charging system capable of a 7.2 kW rate of charge for rapid recharging characteristics. Kona Electric estimated range is a segment-leading 258 miles, meeting the varying needs of owner lifestyles. An eighty percent charge can be achieved in 54 minutes with a Level-III quick charge (zero to 80 percent charge @ 100 kW charging capability), using the SAE-Combo charging port, while a 7.2 kW Level-II charger takes nine hours and thirty-five minutes. This fast-charging capability is standard on the Kona Electric. For charging convenience, the charging port is located in the front grille area for head-in parking ease whenever charging is needed. Kona Electric battery is covered by Hyundai’s industry leading Lifetime Battery Warranty.
ACTIVE SAFETY
Kona Electric also offers available advanced active safety features, including standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which uses the car’s front-facing camera to help detect an imminent collision and avoid impact or minimize damage by braking autonomously. Three additional available systems also utilize the standard front-view camera to boost safety and convenience: Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (on LED-headlight-equipped models), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW).
By sensing road markings, Lane Keeping Assist helps to prevent accidental lane departure by automatically steering the car if required. High Beam Assist automatically controls the high beam headlights depending on surroundings, while the Driver Attention Warning system monitors a spectrum of driver-related characteristics to help detect driver fatigue or careless driving.
Available Kona Electric radar systems also assist with the Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) to help detect approaching vehicles that may be obscured from view during highway driving. The Rear Cross-Traffic Collison-Avoidance Assist helps detect when another vehicle may have entered the car’s rearward path, such as backing out of a parking spot, and may provide a driver alert and automatic braking assistance.
ADVANCED INFOTAINMENT AND CONNECTIVITY
Kona Electric offers a full suite of sophisticated technologies paired with user-friendly functionality to keep passengers informed and entertained. The premium infotainment system offers various advanced connectivity features, including standard Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™, SiriusXM® Radio, HD Radio and next-generation Blue Link® LTE-powered connectivity. The standard seven-inch color LCD display includes AM/FM/MP3 touchscreen audio, auxiliary inputs, voice-command recognition and Rear View Monitor. The available eight-inch touchscreen navigation display includes next-generation Blue Link, traffic flow and incident data via HD radio, Infinity® premium audio with eight speakers, subwoofer and Clari-Fi ™ music-restoration technology. Smartphone integration is also included in the premium system.
A Heads-Up Display system is available, projecting a virtual image onto the transparent panel mounted behind the instrument panel, which helps the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road. With a generous, eight-inch projected-image size and outstanding luminance, the Heads-Up Display provides both excellent day- and night-time visibility. Information projected includes speed, navigation instructions, safety and audio system information. Deployed vertically by a simple touch of a button beside the steering wheel, the display disappears into the dashboard when not in use.
In a first for the segment, Kona Electric offers smartphone wireless charging. To charge a device, simply place a compatible smartphone on the wireless-charging interface located in the center console storage, recharging without the need for cables. The system indicates when the phone has fully charged, reminds occupants to remove their phone when exiting the vehicle, and detects when a foreign object is in the recharging area that could interfere with charging. The system is fully compliant with WPC’s Qi standard for ease of use.
NEXT-GENERATION BLUE LINK® CONNECTED CAR SYSTEM
All Kona Electric models include complimentary three-year Blue Link services, with enhanced safety, diagnostic, remote and guidance services (models equipped with factory navigation). Blue Link brings connectivity directly into the car with technologies like Google Home®, Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search by Voice®, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. In addition, Kona Electric adds exclusive EV-oriented features such as Remote Charge Management, Charge Scheduling, EV Power History and EV Range.
The 2019 Kona Electric joins Hyundai’s successful new Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade in a full line-up of Hyundai crossovers for the U.S. market. The 2019 Kona Electric models are now available in California and in the ZEV-focused states in the western and northeastern regions of the U.S. market.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, with the majority sold in the U.S. built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
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Source: Hyundai Motor America
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
